Automatic machine for manufacturing ampullae from glass tubes



March 8, 1938. J DICHTER 2,110,327

AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING AMP-ULLAE FROM GLASS TUBES Filed June 29, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l March 8, 1938.

J. DICHTER AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING AMPULLAE FROM GLASS TUBES Filed June 29, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES PAT AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR MANUFACTUR- ING AMPULLAE FROM GLASS TUBES Jakob Dichter, Berlin-Schoneberg, Germany Application June 29, 1934, Serial No. 733,100

In Germany June 30, 1933 18 Claims.

My invention relates to a machine for manufacturing ampullae from glass-tube stock. It is an object of my invention to provide certain improvements in a machine for the same purpose which is described in my Patent 'No. 1,962,985, dated June 12, 1934, for Machinefor the manu- \facture of ampullas and the like glass bodies". In this machine, ampullae are manufactured from glass-tube stock progressively, and the finished ampulla is detached from the stock while at the same time the bottom of the subsequent ampulla is formed on the stock. Before-the ampulla is detached from the stock, it is constricted at one or two points by heating and upsetting the portion to be constricted. The depth of the constriction is determined by rolling on a molding rail or guiding rib, projecting into the path along which the ampulla moves, or the'point's of the ampullae are straightened and centered by the rail or rib. As the rail or rib is adjusted once and for all for all diameters of tubes, irregularities which are inevitable in the manufacture, are not considered sufficiently, and waste occurs by distortion at the molding point.

These drawbacks of the machine described in my said copending application are eliminated according to my invention by providing a molding tool which is moved toward and away from that portion of the ampulla which is tobe molded, by positive means. The molding'tool is preferably supported resiliently and is adapted to be adjusted vertically and laterally, so that the conditions of operation .at every station are considered.

By the molding device described, constrictions are produced, or the depth of constrictions which have been produced by a burner is varied, the shoulders of the ampullae are molded, and their points are centered. I

During the molding operation, the tool is preferably, in addition to its movement toward the ampulla, also shifted in parallel to the axis of so that the shoulder becomes,

the ampulla, rounded and no excessive thickening of the glass wall is produced. With the same object, the portion to be molded may be thinned byv reheating it and drawing it out further after the point has been drawn, so as to prevent excessive thickeningsize corresponds to the constriction-to be'produced, and with an extension, or extensions, at one side or at both sides of the flange, for molding the point and/or the shoulder of the ampulla.

The extension, or extensions, is shaped in conformity with the shape of the point and/or shoulder and may be cylindrical or tapered.

A heating burner cooperates with the molding device and reheats the portion to be molded after the point has been drawn out, or means may be provided for cooling this portion after it has been molded. In order not to interfere with the free movement of the ampullae, and with the preceding operations, the burner is preferably moved toward, and away from, the molding point, for instance, by oscillating it;

The molding device may be used for producing initial tension at the molding point, as the comparatively cool molding tool is caused to contact with the hot glass of the ampulla. In order to regulate the temperature of the tool with respect to the temperature of the glass, I provide the heating burner referred to, and an air blower, which burnerand blower alternately act on the molding tool, as required. The object of producing the initial tension is to provide a weak point where the glass will break, so that irregular breaking is prevented.

I may provide several movable units for rotation about a central column, as described in my ,said copending applicatiomand move the units step by step. In amachine of this type, a single initial position.

I may also provide a machine in which the units continuously rotate about an axis and in such a machine as many molding devices are provided as there are units. The molding devices preferably rotate with the units and the molding tools of the devicesare moved into and out of active position for molding and for releasing the molded ampullae.

The same number of molding devices is provided if several units are arranged side by side and are stationary, or arranged in a circular line.

The operation of the machine is much simplified in a machine operating vertically and equipped with a fixed upper and a movable lower chuck per unit, as described in my "said copending application, by mounting the molding device on the holder of the lower chuck, because with this arrangement the position of the molding device with respect to the chuck is not influenced if the drawing-out movement of the chuck is lengthened.

The molding device preferably moves along a track at the station, which is adapted to be adjusted vertically and horizontally, the latter for timing the molding device. Preferably, the track is secured to the adjustable insert by which the length of the point is determined so that the track is adjusted at the same time as the insert.

In a modification of my machine the molding devices are mounted together on a spider which spider is mounted to rotate about a central column with the units. Preferably, the movement of the molding tools toward and away from the molding points is efl'ected by a single cam which is secured on the central shaft, but does not rotate with the spider. The spider, and preferably also the cam, are adjustable in vertical direction. The adjustment is facilitated by providing a hand wheel at the outer side of the machine, bevel gears and a threaded sleeve on the column.

In the drawings aflixed to this specification and forming part thereof, a machine in which the operating units and a -molding device on every unit rotate cohtinuously about an aids and the units and molding devices are operatedby fixed tracks at a station; and a machine in which the units and devices also rotate continuously about a shaft but are continuously operated by a cam; are illustrated diagrammatically by way of example.

In the drawings--- Fig. 1 is an elevation showing one of the units of the machine of the first type at the station where the tracks are,

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 11-11 in Fig. 1, and

Fig. 3 is a section on the line IIL-IlI in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 shows an ampulla, and a tool for molding it.

Fig. 5 is an elevation showing part of the machine oi the second type,

Fig. 6 is a section on the line VI--VI in Fig. 5, and

Fig. 7 is a section on the line VII--VII in Fig. 6.

Referring now to the drawings, and first to Figs. 1 to 3, it will appear that only certain parts of the machine are illustrated in these figures, as the complete machine has been fully described in my said patent. Only the table I2 has been illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, and two oi'the slide bars 'I by which the two spiders of the machine are connected, but the spiders themselves, and the vertical central column about whose axis the units rotate with the spiders, have been omitted.

Every operating unit comprises a fixed upper chuck which is supplied with glass-tube stock, and a movable lower chuck I0. The lower chuck is mounted on a holder which is equipped with a pair of sleeves I I for sliding on the bars 1, and the chuck is equipped with a double-armed lever 63 for opening it.

Every unit is combined with a molding device, as will now be described. A bar i0I, with a sloping upper end I02, is secured to the holder of the unit by screws 2. Links I04 and I04 are fulcrumed on the bar l0l at 3, 3 and the free ends of the links are pivoted to a driving rail I00 at l. A support I is secured to.the upper end of the driving rail I00, and is equipped with a sloping face 3 at its bottom for bearing on the -is controlled by a circular camway ii 8.

sloping face I02 at the upper end of bar II, in the inactive position *of the molding device.

Ii I is a. tool carrier which is attached to a rod 8 at one of its ends. The rod 9 is mounted to sllde'inthe support I05 and is equipped with a spring 9' at its lower end which tends to pull the tool carrier I Ii toward the upper face of the support I05, and with a threaded check 2 for limiting the movement 01' the carrier toward the support. The holder for the molding tool I06 is a double-armed lever fulcrumed on the tool carrier III at I00. The tool I06 is rotatably mounted on the free end of the longer arm ill of this lever whose shorter arm 5 is held against an adjustable check H0 in a lug 6 on the tool carrier III by a spring buifer I09, Fig. 2, with a screw I09 for regulating the tension of the spring in the bullet.

II is a circular track on the table I2 which at the station, or at every station, is interrupted for the reception of an insert II whose upper edge is below the upper edge of track ,II and is connected to thetrack by slopes at the inner ends of the circular track II. lugs and screws at the insert II which support a curved outer track IS. The upper edge of the outer track I9 is straight and horizontal and the upper edge of the insert II' is parallel to the upper edge of the outer track I9,.but below the same; with the exception of an elevated portion II" at the right-hand end of the insert II, for a purpose which will be explained below. A rod 69 is secured to the holder of every unit and is H" are two pairs 0!- equipped with a pair of rollers I0 and I0 at its lower end. The outer roller 10 runs on the track I9, and the inner roller I0 runs on the insert Ii, as shown in Fig. 3, or on the track Ii. The holders, through their rods 09 and rollers 19, 10', bear on the tracks I! and I9, and on the insert V II, by gravity. The units move toward the station from the right in Fig. 1, and their. inner rollers I0 descend the slope of the track II at the right and the more gradual slope II" of the insert 'Ii, until the rollers I0 run on the straight and horizontal upper edge of the inner track I9. In this manner, the points of the ampullae are drawn out. The drawing-out occurs abruptly while the roller I0 descends the slope .at the right of insert Ii, and more gradually while the roller I0 rides on the slope 'II' of the insert. After the roller I0 has begun to ride on the outer track IS, the ampullae are drawn no longer, as the upper edge of track I9 is straight and horizontal.

Obviously, means must be provided for considering various lengths of ampullae. Means such as three lifting rods I3 which extend through the table I2 and with their upper ends support the insert II, a curved member H connecting the lower ends of rods I3, and a hand wheel I6 with a spindle I5, are provided for roughly adjusting the insert II, while the final and finer adjustment of the outer rail I9 is effected by the lugs and screws II".

The driving rail I03 of every molding device This camway is connected to the insert II by horizontal rods I20, vertical rods I and screws I20 for connecting and adjusting the rods. A track i I5 is arranged at the outer side of camway H0 and has a slope H5 at its right-hand end where the units come from, and an abrupt step i I5 at the other end. brackets, and III, III are clamping screws in the brackets, for securing the track Iii to the camway ill in any desired position, and screws I I6 and i ii are U-shaped ll9'and H3 in the respective brackets serve for adjusting the track H5 in vertical direction. as best seen in Fig. 3.

H4 is a roller at the lower end of the driving rail I03 which'roller is adapted to run on the camway H9 and on the track. I'I5,,and it will be understood thatthe operation ofthe driving rail I03, and, through it, of the molding tool I 06, is timed by shifting the track II5 on the camway H8 by means of bracketsil I6, II 6', and that the level to which the drivingrail I03 is raised, is determined by adjusting thescrews H9 and H9.

I3I is a burner which is arranged opposite the molding tool I06, for heating the portion to be molded,or for reheating it, after the point has been drawn, I3I' is its gas-supply pipe, and lil" is its air-supply pipe. An air blower 23I, with a supply pipe 232, may be provided for cooling the portion after it lies been molded, or for cooling the molding roller I06, for producing initial 1 tension. In order not to interfere with the movement of the units, the burner I3I is preferably mounted to oscillate into and out of its active position with respect to the ampulla. 52 are two burners arranged below the upper chuck 8 with: gas pipes 62' and air pipes 62", for detaching the,

finished ampulla from the stock in this chuck,

and for forming the bottom of the subsequent a'mpulia on the stock, as described in my said patent.

Referring now to Fig. 4, the molding roller I06 may be equipped with a flange I 2| for constricting the ampulla at a, and with an outwardly flaring portion I22 above the flange which forms the neck portion b to which the point is connected. The body of the ampulla is molded to a shoulder at c by a tapered portion I23 of the roller below the flange I 2 I.

The operation of the machine illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 is as follows: The operating units rotate continuously and clockwise, approaching the station where the tracks are, from the right I in Fig. 1. The roller I at the lower end of rod 69 abruptly descends the slope of the track II toward the insert 1!" and the point is drawn out during this descent. The point may then be reheated by burner I3I while the roller 10' descends the gentler slope 1I', and drawn out for a second time. The drawing-out is finished when the roller I0 rides on the straight and horizontal upper edge of track I9.

The support I of the molding device rests on the sloping face I02 of bar IOI with its own sloping face I I3 .by gravity, the links I04, I04 are substantially horizontal, and the molding tool I06 is remote from the ampulla I. When the roller H4 at the lower end of driving rail I03 runson the slope at the right of camway I I9, the molding device is raised substantially into the position illustrated in Fig. 1, and the molding tool I06. moves nearer to the molding point of drops ofi the slope at the left-hand end of camway H8 and the molding device returns into its initial position in which the sloping face H3 01 support I05 bears on .the face I02 at the upper end of bar I0 I. by burners 62.

Molding may be performed immediately after the point has been drawn out. as described, or after theportion to be molded has. been reheated by burner I3I. It is also possible to first produce a constriction by drawing out, as is old in the art, and thereupon finishing the restriction by the molding roller I06.

Referring now to Figs. 5 to '7, the chucks 9 and I0 are provided as described, and the lower chuck I0 is operated for drawing out the point by means such as the tracks described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 which have been omitted in Figs. 5 to 7. 200 is the central shaft or-l column about which an upper spider I29 and a lower spider I 29 are rotated, and 20I is one of the stays by which the spiders are connected for rotationin unison. I26 is -a hollow threaded spindle which is integral with, or connected to, the upper spider The finished ampulla is detached I29 and is free-to rotate on the column 200, I24- is a sleeve with a female thread in which the spindle I26 is inserted, I26 is a bevel pinion at the lower end of the sleeve I24, and I26 is a bevel pinion on a shaft I21 which is mounted to rotate in a block 202 on the lower spider I 29 and is equipped with a hand wheel I29 at its outer end.

By these means the sleeve I24 is rotated and the distance between the lower spider I29 and the upper spider I 29 is varied as required. The burners 52 for detaching the finished ampullae from the stock are provided as described but the heating burner I3I is pivotally mounted on the uppe are equipped with adjustable portions 208 for the lower, and 209 for the upper cam, with slots 2I0 and screws 2 with knurled handles for holding the adjustable portions on the respective cams.

The heating burner I3I is controlled by the upper cam I33. Its operating lever 2I2 is fulcrumed on the upper spider I29 at 2I3 and equipped with a roller 2I4 and a spring 2I4' for holding the roller 2I4 against the cam I33. I3I' is the gas pipe, and I3 I is the air pipe, of burner I3I. The burner is connected to its lever 2| 2 by a bracket 2I5, and 2I6 is a set screw in a lug 2" on the boss of lever 2 I2 which cooperates with a check 2I8 on the upper spider I29.

A lever 2I9 fulcrumed at 220 on the upper spider I29 and equipped with a. roller 22I at its free end, cooperates with the upper cam I33 to which its roller 22I is held' by a spring 222. Fulcrumed at the same point is a divided lever whose parts 223 and 224 are connected by a screw 225 and whose part 224 supports the molding roller I06 at its free end. The boss of the lever 2I9 is equipped with an extension 226 and a downwardly extending lug 221 at the end of the extension. The lug bears against a spring 228 on a pin 229 whose forked inner end 230 is pivoted to the part 223 of the divided lever.

The cams I32 and I33, being splined on the column- 200, move with the spiders I29 and I29 and therefore are always in the proper position with respect to the levers 2I2 and 2I9. The levers themselves rotate about the cams with the spiders and the burner I3I and the molding roller I" are operated while they rotate. The operation may be timed by displacing the ,adjustable cam portions 2 and I.

Instead of moving the cams along the column Ill with'the spiders, as described, I might provide cams which are fixed on the column, and elongate the rollers 2H and 22! so as to. make up for thernovement of the spiders in parallel to the axis of the column. 4

I wish'it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described for obvious modiportion of the ampulla which is to be molded .and for shifting said tool in parallel to theaxis of the ampulla, and means. for detaching the finished ampulla from the stock.

2. In a machine for manufacturing ampullae from glass tube stock, means for heating the ampulla, means for drawing out .its point, a molding tool movable with said drawing means, means for and for shifting said tool in parallel to the axis of the ampulla, resilient means interposed between said ,tool and the means for moving and shifting it, and means for detaching the finished ampulla from the stock.

3. In a machine for manufacturing ampullae from glass tube stock, means for heating the ampulla, means for drawing out its point, a molding tool, means for movingsaid tool toward, and away from, the portion of the ampulla which is to be molded, means for socooling said tool as to produce an initial tension in the ampulla at a predetermined point, and means for detaching the finished ampulla from the stock.

4. In a machine for manufacturing ampullae from glass tube stock, means for heating the ampulla, means for for drawing out its point, a molding tool, means for moving said tool toward, and away from, the portion of.the ampulla which is to be molded, means for producing initial tension in the said portion, and means for detaching the finished ampulla from the stock.

5. In a machine for manufacturing ampullae from glass tube stock, means for heating the ampulla, means for for drawing out its point, a molding tool, means for moving said tool toward, and away from, the portion of the ampulla which is to be molded, an air blower for cooperation with said heating means, for producing initial tension in the said portion, and means for detaching the finished ampulla from the stock.

6. In a machine for manufacturing amullae from glass tube stock, means for heating the ampulla, means for drawing out its point, a

molding tool, means for moving said tool toward,

and away from, the portion of the ampulla which is to be molded, an air blower for cooperation with said heating means, for producing initial tension in the said portion, while the molding toolmoves toward the ampulla, and means for detaching the finished ampulla from the stock.

7. In a machine for manufacturing ampullae from glass tube stock, means for heating the ampulla, means for drawing out its point, a molding tool, means for moving said tool toward, and away from, the portion of the ampulla which is to be molded, means for regulating the relative temperature of the molding tool and the ampulla for producing initial tension in the said portion, and means for detaching the finished ampula from the stock.

8. In a machine for manufacturing ampulae from glass tube stock, a plurality of operating units, means on every unit for drawing out the points of the ampullae, a molding device corn-v blned with every unit, a molding tool on said device, means for moving said units past a station, and means at said station for: heating the ampullae, operating the means for drawing out the points, for operating said molding device, and

for detaching the finished ampullae from the stock. v

9'. .In a machine for manufacturing ampullae from. glass tube stock, a plurality of operating units, means on every unit for drawing out the points of the ampullae, a molding device combined with every .unit, a molding tool on said device, means for moving said units past a station. and means at said station for: heating the ampullae,,operating the means for drawing out the points, for operating said molding device, for detaching the finished ampullae from the stock,

and means for regulating and timing the operation of the individual means at said station.

10. In a machine for manufacturing ampullae from glass tube stock, a plurality of operating units, means on every unit for drawing out the "points of the ampullae, a molding device supported by said drawing-out means, a molding tool on said device, means for moving said units past a station, and means at said station for: heating the ampullae, operating the means for drawing out the points, and for detaching the finished ampullae from the stock; and a camway at said station for operating said molding device.

11. In a machine for manufacturing ampullae from glass tube stock, a plurality of operating units, means on every unit for drawing out the points of the ampullae, a molding device supported by said drawing-out means, a molding tool on said device, means for moving said units past a station, and means at said station for: heating the ampullae. operating the means for drawing out the points; andfor detaching the finished ampullae from the stock; a camway at said station for operating said molding device, a track on said camway, and means for adjusting said track vertically and laterally with respect to said camway.

12. In a machine for manufacturing ampullae fromglass tube stock, a plurality of operating units, means on every unit for drawing out the points of the ampullae, a molding device combined with every unit, a molding tool on said device, means for moving said units pasta station. and means at said station for: heating the ampullae, operating said molding'device, and detaching the finished ampullae from the stock; a track at said station for operating the means for drawing out the points, means for adjusting said track, a camway at said station for operating said molding device, which camway is attached to said track, a track on said camway, and means for adjusting said last-mentioned track vertically-and laterally with respect to said camway.

13. In a machine for manufacturing ampullaefrom glass tube stock, a plurality of operating units, means on every unit for drawing out the points of the ampullae, a molding device combined with every unit, a molding tool on said device, means for moving said units, a stationary column said units' rotate about, a cam held against rotation on said column for operating said molding device, means for heating the ampullae, and means for detaching the finished ampullae from the stock.

14. In a machine for manufacturing ampullae from glass tube stock, a plurality of operating units, means on every unit for drawing out the points of the ampullae, a molding device combined with every unit, a molding tool on said device, means for moving said units, a stationary column said units rotate about, a cam held against rotation with respect to, but free to move along said column with said units, for operating said molding device, means for heating the ampullae, and means for detaching the finished ampullae from the stock.

15. Ina machine for manufacturing ampullae from glass tube stock, a plurality of operating units, means on every unit for drawing out the points of-the ampullae, a molding device combined with every unit, a molding tool on said device, means for heating the ampullae, means for operating the means for drawing out the points, and means for detaching the finished ampullae from the stock.

16. In a. machine of the class described, a pair of gripping devices for gripping a length of tubing, means for heating aportion of the length of tubing between said gripping devices, means providing for relative movement of said gripping devices away from each other to reduce the cross sectional area of the heated portion of the length of tubing, a molding tool carried by one of said gripping devices and movable with the same upon relative movement of the gripping devices, and means for moving said molding tool into engagement with the portion of the length of glass tubing to be molded.

17. In a machine of the class described, 'm'eans for'supporting a length of glass tubing, means for heating a portion of the length of tubing, means for shaping the heated portion of the length of tubing, and means for directing a cooling'fluid against a part of the heated portion of the length of tubing to produce an initial tension in the said portion.

18. In a machine of the class described, means for supporting a length of glass tubing, means for shaping said length of glass tubing to form an ampulla, and means for creating an initial tension in the ampulla at a predetermined point.

J AKOB DICHTER. 

